Lets Big Chipper cookies at the Texas 4000 for Cancer Atlas Ride (Photo credit: Lets Big Chipper Facebook)
What’s sweeter than eating a soft peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie? Knowing a third of the price of the cookie is going to charity, that’s what.
Cookies and Charity
Karen Davis and her husband, Michael, were inspired to start Lets Big Chipper by a shopping excursion in Austin with one of their daughters. Their oldest walked up to a nondescript clothier on the Drag and said she wanted to buy a pair of Toms shoes. When Karen asked about the brand, her daughter mentioned how shoe sales benefit children in need.
After reading Blake Mycoskie’s book Start Something that Matters, the Davises took their love of baking and created a startup company where $1.00 of every cookie sold goes to a local charity.
Now, I am a cookie fan. I can honestly tell you these are good cookies. Lets Big Chipper has roughly six different types of cookies for sale: The Mounds, The Original, Orange You In Heaven, Chocfully Pnut Butter, Oatmeal and Roasted Texas Pecan, and a bacon-flavored cookie.
The Chocfully Pnut Butter cookie is my favorite (Photo credit: Lets Big Chipper)
When I met the Davises, they kindly provided me with a couple of cookie samples. I don’t know how many cookies I’ve eaten that failed to remain soft and chewy after a day or so, especially cookies with peanut butter. But even a day later, Lets Big Chipper’s masterpieces were still soft! Yes, I am excited about this!
Karen and Michael are also looking for an excellent vegan cookie recipe. This is Austin, after all, and a couple of vegan choices would be a great addition to their selection. If you happen to have one you’re willing to share, feel free to contact them.
Benefits of Social Entrepreneurship
It’s not all about selling cookies. The Davis family is no stranger to hard times and tragedy. In 2005, they were counted among the millions of people whose lives were flipped upside down by Hurricane Katrina. They ended up in San Antonio, rebuilt their lives and saw their two daughters graduate high school and move on to The University of Texas at Austin.
Lets Big Chipper donates to local charities, with a special focus on children (Photo credit: Lets Big Chipper on Facebook)
But they haven’t forgotten what it’s like to need a helping hand, to have to rely on the kindness of others, or how humbling it can be to have to start over. So far, Lets Big Chipper has helped the Capitol Area Food Bank and Footprints (a startup charity to help grieving children). They are also talking with Austin Children’s Services.
They can’t do this alone. If people aren’t buying their cookies, then Lets Big Chipper cannot meet their goal of helping local charities. Currently, the business offers a variety of cookie trays, caters parties, and can deliver cookies to you. $5.00 from every tray sale goes to charity. They are also looking to build partnerships with local eateries, coffee shops, etc. to gain exposure for their business.
Oatmeal and Roasted Texas Pecan is one of six varieties at Lets Big Chipper (Photo credit: Lets Big Chipper)
How to Participate
If you run a charity and want to partner with Lets Big Chipper, are a business owner who wants to provide tasty cookies to your customers, or you simply want more information on Lets Big Chipper, contact them via their website.
These cookies are good, but its the goodness behind them that really makes a difference.
@The_DT_Show asks:
Have you tried any cookies made by Lets Big Chipper?
“I want to say that David Thomas and all the writers at The Austinot do an amazing job! I also want to say to New Orleans AND to Austin the Katrina story came up as David made me feel so comfortable about telling our true selves. It was like meeting a new old friend AND it is true as to us eventually discovering the wonderful city of Austin. Just like we New Orleanians LOVE our city because of its people, character, history, food and music so do the people of Austin. I’m not going to say the two are the same. I am going to say that if you are an Austinite or a New Orleanian you know the love of a great city. I am fortunate to be blessed with both. I am loving helping the city of Austin and the surrounding areas. If I were back in New Orleans I would be doing the same. Go to http://www.austinot.wpengine.com you will see many similarities between these two unique cities!”…….This is what I wrote on my personal fb page. I love how people of truly unique cities can pour such love into it. Sometimes we need to let others in from elsewhere that can truly appreciate the love of a good city. Thank You David for such a beautiful job. BTW….I chose the name Lets Big Chipper because it’s a movement! LETS BIG CHIPPER…Using the private sector to make a difference! Spend your dollars you’d spend on any given day/week with large proceeds going to those helping others. We’re not a once a year gala. We are an every day business giving back year round which does ADD UP. Plus the cookies really are one of a kind. I’m not just saying that, it’s what I’ve heard.